Your stay — José Antonio Suárez Mateó
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The Property — José Antonio Suárez Mateó
A no-frills three-star in Vedado, blocks from the Malecón. The lobby has marble floors, a solitary sofa, and the quiet hum of a ceiling fan – functional rather than cosy. It suits budget travellers who want a clean base in a central residential area, not resort-style pampering. The USP is location: walkable to the Malecon, Hotel Nacional, and the ice-cream parlour Coppelia.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez and grew into a key Spanish colonial port, its harbour fortifications now a UNESCO site. The 20th-century saw a building boom: Art Deco and Neoclassical facades in Centro, then hulking Soviet-era blocks in Vedado. After the 1959 revolution, tourism replaced sugar as the main driver. Today the city is a faded but vivid mix of crumbling colonnades, 1950s Cadillacs, and live salsa in every other doorway.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April: dry season, daytime highs 25-28°C, lower humidity, fewer mosquitoes. Comfortable for walking the old town.
Peak / festival surge
January to March: peak season with cool winters and events like the Havana Jazz Festival (Jan) and Feria del Libro (Feb). Hotels often sell out at higher rates; booking 2-3 months ahead is wise.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: wetter but quieter, with prices dropping 20-30%. Crowds thin out, and you get bursts of tropical sun between showers.
Weather & packing
Havana has a tropical monsoon climate: sudden, heavy downpours can hit even in dry season. Pack a lightweight, foldable rain jacket and waterproof shoes; do not rely on an umbrella alone.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón sea wall is undergoing ongoing repairs in sections near Vedado; expect some closed lanes and increased dust along that stretch.
- In early 2026, several new private paladares (family-run restaurants) opened in Centro Habana, offering better-value meals than hotel dining.
- The old town is still affected by sporadic power cuts, especially during summer peak load; carry a power bank and cash, as card machines sometimes fail.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to José Antonio Suárez Mateó, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd floor at the rear of the building. The address, 304 Santa Emilia, is a side street off a main road, but the rear rooms face a quieter courtyard or back alley. Second floor avoids street-level noise but is low enough for easy stair access if the lift breaks down (common in 3-star Havana hotels).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0 or 1). They face Santa Emilia street directly, picking up foot traffic and passing cars. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor – the lift is likely old and noisy.
Best views
The best view is from front-facing rooms on the 3rd floor – you’ll see the street and possibly a glimpse of harbour or low-rise Havana skyline. But if you want a view over quiet, ask for a rear-facing room; you’ll get a residential courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 through 3. Without explicit floor count, a 3-star hotel in this area typically has 3-4 floors. The top floor (3 or 4) may have less street noise but could get heat from the roof. Mid-range floors are your safest bet.
🔊 Noise notes
Santa Emilia is a secondary street, but Havana traffic can be erratic – motorcycles and music from passing cars. The hotel itself may have an internal courtyard used for deliveries or staff breaks. Also, classic Havana air conditioners are loud, so windows shut is common.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing room – they’re quieter but fewer. 2. Bring earplugs: Havana neighbourhood noise (dogs, music, street sellers) can start at 6am regardless of floor. 3. If the lift isn’t working (common in 3-star hotels), ask for a room on the 2nd floor – easy walk up, not too hot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — José Antonio Suárez Mateó
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas, slow (2-3 Mbps); no login required. No in-room Wi-Fi available
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No newspaper delivery; no digital newsstand. The hotel is a converted 1950s colonial house with original mosaic floors and a central courtyard
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 for 25 CUC
Free storage at reception for day-use after checkout
No step-free access; a few shallow steps at entrance and no ramp. Lift is narrow; wheelchair users may struggle with door widths. Ground floor only partially accessible
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Plaza Vieja, 1 km away, 10 CUC per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: City tax of 2.00 CUC per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; a 50 CUC incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia La Milagrosa (427 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia La Milagrosa (437 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: garage (992 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Asambleas de Dios Puerta de Esperanza (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Piso de Venta La Comercial — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Las Pipas — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Museo del Cerro — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Ballet Español de Cuba — 288 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 364 m · ~5 min walk
Juan Delgado y General Lee — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Bodega — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Oficina Central de Aguas de La Habana — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Use official exchange offices (CADECA) for best rates; avoid street changers and the airport/tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard from non-US banks work at some hotels and larger shops; US-issued cards generally blocked. Contactless and mobile pay are rare.
Tip 10% in restaurants; small change for taxis; 1–2 CUP per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local espresso at any corner kiosk; ~10–20 CUP.
Set lunch menu (menu del día) from a state-run cafeteria; ~80–150 CUP.
A main course at a small paladar; ~200–400 CUP.
Look for stalls near the local market on Calle Santa Emilia for fried snacks or sandwiches at 30–50 CUP.
Small state-run bodegas and the larger 'Carnicería' on Calle Primelles.
Havana's mercados de ropa (clothes markets) have cheap essentials; local brand 'Mayorista' stores sell basics.
Shared taxi (almendrón) for 20 CUP per ride; bus (guagua) 2 CUP. From airport, hop a shared taxi for ~50–100 CUP.
Change money only at official CADECA; eat at paladares off the main streets; haggle at markets.
Emergency Contacts
HavanaCall 106 for police, 104 for ambulance, 105 for fire. For tourist assistance, dial 103 (Cuban tourist police). Mobile networks work; local SIMs (ETECSA) are reliable. Save these offline.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Havana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at José Antonio Suárez Mateó
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 364 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Juan Delgado y General Lee — 227 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Park bus stop → Alamar (via 5ta Avenida)
💡 Hop on the Malecón route—bus P5 or P7 pass through Old Havana. Payment is by coin or phone card only; exact change essential. Expect the bus to be packed and hot during peak hours.
Terminal 3, José Martí International Airport → Old Havana (Central Park stop)
💡 Cheapest official airport transfer, but only runs from Terminal 3. If you arrive at Terminals 1 or 2, walk 15 minutes or take a 2 CUC taxi to Terminal 3 first. Space is first-come, first-served.
Old Havana taxi rank (e.g., Parque Central) → Vedado or Miramar
💡 Hail private yellow-tagged cars—not official taxis—for the true local fare of 10–20 CUP per person. Tell the driver 'Vedado' or your intersection. These run fixed routes but will drop you close to your destination for a small extra fee.
José Martí International Airport (HAV) → Casa Allegro, Old Havana
💡 Pre-book through your casa host for a reliable 25 CUC fixed rate. Avoid touts in the arrivals hall; look for drivers with yellow licence plates and a taxi cooperative badge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
Request a room on the 2nd floor at the rear of the building. The address, 304 Santa Emilia, is a side street off a main road, but the rear rooms face a quieter courtyard or back alley. Second floor avoids street-level noise but is low enough for easy stair access if the lift breaks down (common in 3-star Havana hotels).
Which rooms should I avoid at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0 or 1). They face Santa Emilia street directly, picking up foot traffic and passing cars. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor – the lift is likely old and noisy.
Is José Antonio Suárez Mateó noisy?
Santa Emilia is a secondary street, but Havana traffic can be erratic – motorcycles and music from passing cars. The hotel itself may have an internal courtyard used for deliveries or staff breaks. Also, classic Havana air conditioners are loud, so windows shut is common.
Which rooms have the best views at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
The best view is from front-facing rooms on the 3rd floor – you’ll see the street and possibly a glimpse of harbour or low-rise Havana skyline. But if you want a view over quiet, ask for a rear-facing room; you’ll get a residential courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
What are insider tips for staying at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing room – they’re quieter but fewer. 2. Bring earplugs: Havana neighbourhood noise (dogs, music, street sellers) can start at 6am regardless of floor. 3. If the lift isn’t working (common in 3-star hotels), ask for a room on the 2nd floor – easy walk up, not too hot.
What time is check-in at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
Check-in at José Antonio Suárez Mateó is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does José Antonio Suárez Mateó have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas, slow (2-3 Mbps); no login required. No in-room Wi-Fi available
Is there a city or tourist tax at José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
City tax of 2.00 CUC per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
Set lunch menu (menu del día) from a state-run cafeteria; ~80–150 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from José Antonio Suárez Mateó?
Shared taxi (almendrón) for 20 CUP per ride; bus (guagua) 2 CUP. From airport, hop a shared taxi for ~50–100 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April: dry season, daytime highs 25-28°C, lower humidity, fewer mosquitoes. Comfortable for walking the old town.
Top Attractions in Havana
💡 Go early (8-9am) before tour groups arrive. The adjacent Museo de Arte Colonial costs a couple of CUP but gives rooftop views of the plaza for free once you're inside.
💡 Start at the Hotel Nacional end, walk east towards Havana Vieja during late afternoon when the breeze picks up. Watch for crumbling seawall sections after storms.
💡 Take a bus or taxi from central Havana (about 15 mins). No security or fences around it; it's a regular neighbourhood park. Best visited late afternoon when it's cooler and the sun makes the bronze glow. The nearest cafe sells decent iced coffee.
💡 Skip the overpriced audio guide. Bring small CUP notes for the locked donation boxes in some rooms. The Granma Memorial outside (the yacht used in the 1956 landing) is free to view through the fence; you can see it from outside the museum grounds.
💡 Arrive by 8pm on Thursday or Friday to avoid huge queues. Pay in CUP at the door if you have it; the card machine sometimes fails. Check their Facebook page for schedule changes.